Hearing aids are an investment in your hearing health, but the hefty price tag might not be in your budget. Traditional in-office hearing aids may come at a considerable cost, with some brands charging up to $4,000 per device. To expand consumer access to hearing aids and improve affordability, the FDA has established a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids.
Effective October 17, 2022, OTC hearing aids are now available directly to consumers,3 generating potential cost savings for individuals with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. OTC hearing aids do not require professional advice, fitting, adjustment, or maintenance. SeniorLiving.org’s team of experts will continue to update our OTC analysis and hands-on reviews as additional FDA-registered OTC hearing aids continue to hit the market.
Let’s dive into which OTC hearing aids surpassed the competition.
Jabra Enhance’s hearing aid prices range from $1,195 to $1,995 per pair. While these aren’t the cheapest devices on our list, the prices are less expensive than other premium brands like Phonak and ReSound. Plus, Jabra Enhance offers affordable monthly financing options starting as low as $39 per month with basic packages.
Overall, Jabra Enhance offers high-tech hearing aids with all of the essential features like Bluetooth connectivity, noise-canceling technology, tinnitus management, and a mobile app for easy adjustments. Every premium Jabra Enhance package comes with a three-year warranty and three years of follow-up care, so you can easily chat with a doctor and make remote adjustments from the comfort of your own home. Jabra Enhance also offers basic packages if you’re not looking for follow-up care or want to skip the online hearing test. With a 100-day risk-free trial, Jabra Enhance makes it easy to take their devices for a test drive. Visit our Jabra Enhance hearing aid review to learn more.
If you’re one of the 60 million Americans suffering from tinnitus,1Jabra Enhance has you covered! Jabra Enhance hearing aids include personalized tinnitus management and a Tinnitus Sound Generator, making it a solid choice for our best hearing aids for tinnitus list.
MDHearing’s pricing is refreshingly transparent! MDHearing’s prices range from $499.99 to $799.99 thanks to sales advertised on the MDHearing website. These ongoing sales bring the price down, saving you hundreds of dollars.
With MDHearing, you get high-quality hearing aids at a fraction of the cost of hearing aids purchased in-office. Bonus points go to MDHearing for offering models with long battery life. MDHearing’s team of hearing instrument specialists guides you through the process of setting up and customizing your hearing aid. Plus, every hearing aid has free shipping and a 45-day trial, so there’s no risk in seeing if they’ll meet your needs. To learn more about this company, read our MDHearing review.
Pro Tip: Properly caring for your hearing aids is an important part of your hearing health. Check out our in-depth guide on how to clean hearing aids.
The cost of Eargo’s hearing aids ranges from $1,650 to $2,950 per pair. If you’re looking for a manufacturer with financing options, you’ll be pleased to know that Eargo offers financing terms for 12 to 24 months to make their hearing aids more affordable. Eargo 7, the company’s latest model is currently on sale, and you can save over $300 on a pair!
Hear better with Eargo’s discreet and comfortable CIC hearing aids. We’re impressed with Eargo’s best-in-class service. After purchasing your Eargo hearing aids over the phone or online, you’ll receive a personalized consultation from a licensed hearing professional via phone, text, email, or video chat. For a look at our experience with Eargo, check out our hands-on Eargo review.
Did You Know? Active military members and veterans can save 20 percent on the Eargo 7 or Eargo 6. If you or your loved one has served, take advantage of this great deal!
Lexie Lumen’s three OTC hearing aids are priced at a fraction of what you’d pay for a prescription hearing aid at your local audiologist’s office. The latest model, the B2 Powered by Bose, is $999 per pair, and the B1 Powered by Bose is $849 per pair. The company’s lowest-priced pair, the Lexie Lumen, is $799.
If paying in full is a stretch for your budget, Lexie offers a 24-month subscription plan for shoppers who purchase directly through Lexie. There’s a one-time, nonrefundable security payment, and then you’ll pay for your hearing aids in monthly installments. For example, the B2 OTC hearing aid is $49 per month for 24 months. The monthly subscription option includes free batteries, extra accessories, and a protection plan.
Looking for other ways to purchase a Lexie model? Lexie Lumen OTC hearing aids can be purchased at Walgreens. All three Lexie models are available at Best Buy.
With adaptive noise reduction, feedback management, and multiple listening environments, Lexie’s line of OTC hearing aids earned high marks. Its hearing aid support is stellar, as Lexie experts are available by video call, phone call, or through the Lexie App on your phone. Talk about setting you up for hearing aid success! Head over to our Lexie hearing aid review for more details on how Lexie’s OTC hearing aids stack up against competitors.
Otofonix’s wallet-friendly hearing aids made it onto our best cheap hearing aids list for a good reason! When comparing Otofonix devices and prices to leading prescription hearing aid providers, we found this company offers excellent value. Their most affordable model starts at $248 for a single hearing aid, and their most expensive model caps out at $1,590 per pair. The price includes the hearing aid, charging accessories or batteries to get you started, and hearing aid accessories like cleaning supplies, a travel case, domes, and sound tubes. This company also regularly offers sizable discounts for holidays or specials, so keep an eye out for deals if the price is still on the higher end of your budget. Otofonix tends to run frequent sales. Right now, the most expensive model (The Groove) is going for $795 instead of the original $1,590 per pair price.
Of the providers on this list, Otofonix gives seniors with mild to moderate hearing loss the most bang for their buck. Otofonix’s low prices, free shipping, financing plans, and complimentary accessories add up to big savings. These streamlined hearing aids are easy to operate, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Check out our hands-on review of Otofonix to learn more about this provider.
Pro Tip: Our hearing aid buying guide walks you through hearing tests, purchasing options, and how to fine-tune your hearing aids.
Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids are priced at $799 per pair or $26 per month, making it comparable to other OTC models. Some of the features include Bluetooth, water-resistant capabilities, and up to 12 hours of battery life.
Jabra Enhance Plus OTC hearing aids are available online and at participating Beltone locations nationwide with no appointment necessary. The Enhance Plus makes customizing your hearing aids, streaming music, and chatting with the grandkids a breeze. The Enhance Plus lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge, so these serve more so as situational aids. If you’re looking for an OTC hearing aid battery that goes the distance, check out the Fio by Lucid Hearing, as it supplies up to 16 hours of rechargeable battery life.
Did You Know? Wondering if you’re wearing your hearing aids correctly? We have you covered with an in-depth look at how to properly put in and remove your hearing aids.
Lucid Hearing’s OTC hearing aid pricing ranges from $299.99 per pair for the Enrich BTE model to $999.99 per pair for the premium rechargeable Fio model.
Lucid Hearing’s OTC hearing aids are available at various retail outlets, including Sam’s Club and Best Buy, online through Amazon, or on Lucid Hearing’s website. Lucid Hearing’s broad selection of OTC hearing aid models is noteworthy in this new market.
Priced at $199 per pair, Go Hearing’s Go Lite earned our most affordable OTC hearing aid. Keep in mind that as these hearing aids are very affordable, they offer fairly limited features and won’t be suitable for everyone. Searching for an affordable OTC hearing aid with more features? Go Hearing also offers the Go Prime (priced at $299 per pair). The Go Prime includes six channels and three preset programs, including noise reduction and feedback cancellation.
Go Hearing OTC hearing aids are available at Best Buy and on the Go Hearing website. This is one of the most economical OTC hearing aids we’ve seen. The rechargeable battery is a powerhouse; it takes just two to three hours to fully charge the hearing aids, and you’ll get up to 30 hours of battery on a single charge. This no-frills OTC option won’t bust your budget and is ideal for older adults on a limited income who are in need of a hearing aid.
Our top FDA-registered OTC hearing aid contenders for mild to moderate hearing loss were chosen with great consideration. We evaluated a variety of criteria, including cost, functionality, remote care, battery life, features, and warranty.
OTC hearing aids will be more affordable than traditional hearing aids, and some of them even come with support from audiologists. All of the devices on this list will be suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss only.
Hearing aids can make a world of difference in the quality of life for people with hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss can lead to isolation, and it has been associated with serious conditions such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, dementia, reduced mobility, and falls.3
Unfortunately, conventional hearing aids can be very costly, and not everyone can afford the doctor’s visit, let alone the devices. This is where the FDA’s OTC hearing aids may come into play. OTC hearing aids are for individuals aged 18 and over who suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss. These self-fitting hearing aids don’t require a hearing exam, an audiologist’s review, or approval from a medical practitioner, resulting in a more affordable price point. However, some OTC brands do offer online hearing tests and follow-up care, even though it is not required.
The FDA’s OTC hearing aid category aims to make hearing aids more accessible and affordable. However, there are a few important considerations to be aware of, as you may be responsible for:
In the video below, Jeff Hoyt, editor-in-chief of SeniorLiving.org, speaks with Dr. Ruth Reisman, a licensed audiologist and hearing aid dispenser, about the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act and how it could help millions of Americans.
Still unsure whether OTC hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss are right for you? Let’s take a moment to weigh the potential pros and cons.
Since the FDA’s new hearing aid category has been approved, purchasing an OTC hearing aid may be as simple as stopping by your local drugstore. However, shopping can be a bit tricky if you don’t already know what to look for. To help you out, we’ve put together an explanation of a few important criteria to consider as you evaluate over-the-counter and prescription hearing aid options.
Whether you’d prefer a traditional battery-powered hearing aid or a rechargeable model, your hearing aid is only as good as its battery life. It’s essential to find out how long your hearing aid will last. No one wants their hearing aid to lose power in the middle of a conversation!
The outer packaging for all OTC hearing aids will note if the battery is rechargeable or replaceable. If the battery is replaceable, the packaging will include how many batteries are needed (and if they are included).
It’s important to give yourself adequate time to adjust to wearing your new hearing aids. This is why a generous return policy is crucial. Before making your purchase, check the OTC hearing aid return policy. This policy is set by the retailers and manufacturers, not the FDA, so time frames will vary.
Small but mighty, hearing aids are built with tiny electrical parts. So, what happens if your hearing aids stop working? A solid warranty ensures that the manufacturer can repair or replace your hearing aid at no additional cost within a specific time frame.
You’ll likely spend many hours wearing your hearing aids, so choose a lightweight device for optimal comfort. It’s also critical to consider how your hearing aids will fit, feel, and look. Are you in the market for a discreet, practically invisible hearing aid, or would you rather have one that is larger but easier to operate? Consider these questions as you explore your options.
All OTC hearing aids must be self-adjusting with a user-adjustable volume control. This key feature allows you to tune the volume to fit your situation (e.g., louder in noisy environments, softer in quiet environments). However, advanced individual customizations for OTC hearing aids are not required by the FDA.
Are you tech-savvy, or do you prefer a more hands-on hearing aid approach? Some OTC hearing aids depend on wireless technology via a smartphone or a personal computer to program and adjust the hearing aid. Think about what type of OTC hearing aid will work best for you, and look for those product specifications on the packaging.
Inside Tip: Overwhelmed by the number of OTC and medical-grade hearing aids to choose from? Check out our best hearing aids list for the inside scoop on top-ranked hearing aids and their standout features.
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Ruth Reisman, AuD MBA, is a licensed audiologist and hearing aid dispenser in New York state and is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association. After serving as an audiologist in the New York downstate hospital system, Dr. Reisman led the… Learn More About Dr. Ruth Reisman
Maureen joined SeniorLiving.org with more than 10 years of experience writing in health, lifestyle, and nutrition for premium brands like General Mills, Westinghouse, and Bristol Myers Squibb. Her passion for empowering older adults is evident in coverage of topics like retirement, health… Learn More About Maureen Stanley
Harvard Health Publishing. (2020). Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears and what to do about it.
Otofonix. (2022). Compare Hearing Aids.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2021). Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids – Who are OTC hearing aids for?
The White House. (2022, Aug 16). Statement by President Joe Biden on FDA Hearing Aids Final Rule.